MINOT — Those at Tuesday’s public hearing on a proposed mass-gathering ordinance spent most of the time focusing on September’s Great North Music Festival.

They were bothered by the late hours during which loud music was heard well beyond the bounds of Hemond’s Motocross Park where the three-day event was held.

The big issue was the establishment of a time when the musicians would pack away their instruments.

The ordinance, as proposed by the Planning Board, would have the music end at midnight.

The midnight curfew pleased a large number of residents who recalled how the musicians were still going full blast as late as 4 a.m. Friday and Monday.

One resident agreed with the 1 a.m. time Friday and Saturday and mentioned a possible grace period that would allow a song to continue past the deadline to its scripted conclusion.

Concert promoter John Hicks wanted a compromise that would include a provision whereby the music could continue until 2 a.m. at a restricted volume.

Townspeople asked who they would call if there was an issue either with the noise or with the music going beyond set limits.

Candace Gilpatric, Planning Board chairwoman, said they would have to contact a selectman and/or the person appointed by selectmen to monitor the mass gathering.

Hicks pointed out that the festival was about more than music and encouraged townspeople to come and see the arts, workshops and creativity at the Great North Music Festival during the day.

The results of a poll of townspeople at the hearing were: closing time of midnight: 15 votes; closing time of 1 a.m.: 7 votes; closing time of 2 a.m.: 3 votes.

The Planning Board will meet in the Town Office at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, to finalize the wording of the mass-gathering ordinance, which will be submitted to selectmen for inclusion in the March 4 annual town meeting warrant.

The Planning Board also gave final approval to some additions and clarifications of language to changes in the residential life safety and fire suppression, accessory apartments and home occupation sections of the the town’s Land Use Ordinance.

The Board of Selectmen, responding to Diane Sullivan’s resignation from the Regional School Unit 16 board, agreed to have her seat filled at municipal elections March 3.

Sullivan is taking a teaching position at Minot Consolidated School.